My First 2014 Problem (Final Drive oil Leak)

[Mzee]

I notice oil on my rear tyre; when I looked closely it turns out to be oil leaking from the final drive. It is not coming from the usual suspected areas: around 28, 35 or known joints). It is coming from inside the hub. My bike has 65,000kms, so I supposed something has simply given up its ghost.

 

[sportsguy]

37, 21 or 18? Seems reasonable to need at least one new seal at 65,000 miles.

 

[Don in Lodi]

40,000 miles seems soon, but all yous guys on that continent are known to be rough on your Tenere's. ::024:: Lots of dust and debris can be very abrasive, look at all the fork seals, mine included, that are leaking.

 

[squarebore]

37, 21 or 18? Seems reasonable to need at least one new seal at 65,000 miles.

I hope you're wrong and this is unusual. I don't think diffs should leak at all for the life of the bike.

 

[Mzee]

40,000 miles seems soon, but all yous guys on that continent are known to be rough on your Tenere's. ::024:: Lots of dust and debris can be very abrasive, look at all the fork seals, mine included, that are leaking.

I just did the entire fork system from head bearings to new dust seals. I think seals have just aged and need replacement. I am a gentle rider and have not done any serious off-road since the bike was new.

 

[snakebitten]

My rear wheel is usually filthy and almost always has some "spots" that are definitely tell signs of petroleum based product sling.

After the first 4 or 5 times of alarm and investigation, I still have yet to discover any appreciable loss of fluid in the pumpkin reservoir. And most times it is after a harsh ride concerning either temps, or washboard. Combine that with having rear tire changes an almost common occurrence, along with the inevitable greasing of the splines and the subsequent melting off of the excess, I no longer hardly react.

But if I DO ever trash a seal, I won't fret. This thing has taken so much abuse. Surely something is gonna cry uncle at some point.

 

[Mzee]

My rear wheel is usually filthy and almost always has some "spots" that are definitely tell signs of petroleum based product sling.

After the first 4 or 5 times of alarm and investigation, I still have yet to discover any appreciable loss of fluid in the pumpkin reservoir. And most times it is after a harsh ride concerning either temps, or washboard. Combine that with having rear tire changes an almost common occurrence, along with the inevitable greasing of the splines and the subsequent melting off of the excess, I no longer hardly react.

But if I DO ever trash a seal, I won't fret. This thing has taken so much abuse. Surely something is gonna cry uncle at some point.

Mine seems like a continuous leak. Three days now. So it is not a once off smudge. It is definitely leaking.

 

[sportsguy]

Mine seems like a continuous leak. Three days now. So it is not a once off smudge. It is definitely leaking.

If its been weeping for three days now, maybe you should offer it a drink and listen to it's problems? You know, be a real pal to it.

 

[snakebitten]

Well, it's not unheard of. A few fellas have indeed wore out their seal.

In fact, Sailxx, who has well over 100,000 miles, has wore through a few.

 

[Mzee]

If its been weeping for three days now, maybe you should offer it a drink and listen to it's problems? You know, be a real pal to it.

He he weeping is a most appropriate in the circumstances. Be a real pal -- sure! I have contacted the mechanic for word of counsel and the next step to stop the weeping. ::013::

 

[dl20man]

At 70 000 km I had to replace the oil seal on the side next to the wheel hub. Not a big job. Looked like I was losing a lot of oil but drive was still almost full. No problems since.

 

[Mzee]

I took the bike to the local Yamaha mechanic and a new seal installed. It was done in about 30 minutes. The bike is running like new.

 

[SuperJimbo]

Since we dont have such things as Tyres over here, I'll count myself fortunate that I'll never have to be plagued by that issue. ^-^

 

[greg the pole]

Consider yourself lucky. The inside one is a straight forward job.
The Shaft side is not: http://thetenerist.wordpress.com/category/wrenching-and-spannering/

btw..did you check your swing arm plugs to make sure that they are in place?
That's what caused my leak.

 

[Checkswrecks]

It may be too much assembly grease, so if it were out of warranty I'd say pull the wheel, clean it all, and try riding some more. I'd let the dealer do it on warranty though.


The design of our final drives is adapted form the FJR and the VMax before that. So if like this, you might read the thread:
http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/148718-leaking-final-drive-seals/?hl=%2Bleaking+%2Bfinal+%2Bdrive

The upside is that it's a messy failure, in which only a little fluid makes a mess and you will be hard pressed to miss it. It's not a sudden catastrophic failure, as in some other brand that gets bashed regularly.

 

[Mzee]

You are right, it is was not a catastrophic failure, just drips. It was done by a Yamaha dealer. I have been riding for 10 days now and it is fine.

 

[kmac]

That is good that it is fixed.
This is why I opted for the YES warranty. That would be a free change under YES I believe. A seal SHOULD last longer than yours, but there are times when some piece of dirt, debris or bug gets in there and tears it up.

On the brands that "get bashed" it is rarely a seal related issue...yes, the seal goes bad, but only when the crown bearing turns to shrapnel and the wheel wobbles the seal to death...cant blame that seal... ::025::

 

[Mzee]

That is good that it is fixed.
This is why I opted for the YES warranty. That would be a free change under YES I believe. A seal SHOULD last longer than yours, but there are times when some piece of dirt, debris or bug gets in there and tears it up.

On the brands that "get bashed" it is rarely a seal related issue...yes, the seal goes bad, but only when the crown bearing turns to shrapnel and the wheel wobbles the seal to death...cant blame that seal... ::025::

I learnt that the seal went because of the way the wheel was mounted following a tire change. A Yamaha dealer showed me how it should be done.

 

[fredz43]

I learnt that the seal went because of the way the wheel was mounted following a tire change. A Yamaha dealer showed me how it should be done.

Interesting. Could you explain what he showed you so we don't make the same mistake?

Thanks.

 

[avc8130]

Interesting. Could you explain what he showed you so we don't make the same mistake?

Thanks.

My guess is going to be that they used the pinch bolt to hold the axle while tightening the nut on the axle causing a misalignment and subsequent side load on the pumpkin.

ac